Special education, for students ages 3 to 21, is guided by federal and state requirements. The federal requirements are referred to as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA protects the rights of students with disabilities and the rights of their parents. The state requirements are referred to as the Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities (Ohio Operating Standards). These Standards identify the state requirements that apply to the implementation of special education and related services to students with disabilities by school districts, county boards of developmental disabilities and other educational agencies. They provide a framework to ensure that all children receive a quality education tailored to their unique needs. This publication is meant to help parents obtain services that their child may need in school. Knowledgeable parents are effective parents, making more informed decisions that will ultimately benefit the child's success in school and in life. [This guide was originally published in 2003. For a previous revision (2017), see ED585096.]